The Man Who Got Away
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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Last night I went to the Coronado
I bought my ticket and I found my seat
It was a new adventure
Straight from Hollywood
Lights went down as I felt the heat
They went tearing from the final scene
Burning rubber, spilling gasoline
As the credit's rolled away
They were still chasing the man who got away

Every night for weeks and weeks now
I beat the traffic, I beat the heat now
For two hours I can believe
The man who got away was me
I went tearing from the final scene
Burning rubber, spilling gasoline
As the credit's rolled away
They were still chasing the man who got away

Drove into Stockton, my radio went dead
That’s when I heard what the newsman said
Said: "armed robbery on the ten hundred block
Was two men involved and one man shot
While his accomplice made the payday
With a 45 he blew the cashier away
Last seen headed on the State Highway
Driving a late model Chevrolet"

I went screaming from the final scene
In a hail of bullets and flaming gasoline
As the credit's rolled away
They were still chasing the man who got away




Man who got away man who got away
Man who got away

Overall Meaning

Bruce Springsteen's "Who'll Stop The Rain" is a commentary on the disillusionment and confusion that came with the Vietnam War. The opening lines "long as I remember, the rain been falling down" allude to the constant state of turmoil the country was in during that time period. The "mystery clouds" and "confusion on the ground" are metaphors for the political and social upheaval that was happening in the United States. Despite the efforts of "good men through the ages" to find peace and stability, the constant rain symbolizes the ongoing struggle to achieve it.


The second verse tells a story about seeking refuge in Virginia from the storm. But even in this fable-like world, the golden chains of new deals and five-year plans are unable to stop the rain, leaving the singer to ponder yet again, "who'll stop the rain?" The third verse describes a music festival, where the crowd tries to keep warm as the rain falls relentlessly year after year. The constant rain becomes a metaphor for the lingering feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty that many felt during that time.


Overall, "Who'll Stop The Rain" is a reflection on the confusion and disillusionment of a generation that faced an unprecedented time of violence, war and social unrest.


Line by Line Meaning

Long as I remember
As far back as I can recall


The rain been falling down
It has always been raining


Clouds of myst'ry pourin'
Obscure and confusing circumstances abound


Confusion on the ground
Uncertainty and disturbance everywhere


Good men through the ages
Honorable individuals throughout history


They try to find the sun
They endeavor to find brighter times


But I wonder, still I wonder
Despite their efforts, I am still uncertain


Who'll stop the rain
Who can put an end to these troubles?


I went down virginia
I traveled to Virginia


Seekin' shelter from the storm
In search of a place to protect me from the tempest


Just caught up in the fable
I was lost in a narrative


I watched the tower grow
I observed a structure being erected


Five-year plan and new deals
An agenda for the next five years and new agreements


Wrapped in golden chains
Bound by irresistible, yet ultimately harmful, promises


Still I wonder, yes I wonder
Even so, I remain curious


Who'll stop the rain
Who can halt this unceasing deluge of issues?


Heard the singers playin'
Listened to the musicians performing


How we cheered for more
We expressed our delight and asked for encore


The crowd had rushed together
The mass of people had come close to each other


Tryin' to keep warm
Attempting to remain cozy in the chilly atmosphere


Still the rain keeps falling
However, the downpour continues


Fallin' through the years
Continuing all along these years


And I wonder, still I wonder
Once again, I am inquisitive


Who'll stop the rain
Who can bring an end to this never-ending downfall?


I wanna know, baby I wanna know
I am truly interested in finding out




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

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